Late breaking news reported by WMUR:
State health officials said Thursday they are delaying hepatitis C testing clinics that were scheduled to be held this weekend.
The Department of Health and Human Services said it concluded that it didn’t have time to pull together the clinics.
“Our first priority is and always has been the health and safety of the citizens of New Hampshire,” said Nicholas Toumpas, DHHS commissioner. “These clinics are a tremendous undertaking involving hundreds of people, and to ensure the best and safest experience for the patients coming for testing, the decision was made to delay.”
The clinics were planned following the announcement that DHHS was expanding the testing recommendations related to a hepatitis C outbreak at Exeter Hospital. Investigators said a former employee was responsible for spreading the blood-borne virus by using syringes intended for patients.
DHHS said patients who were treated in the main inpatient operating rooms or the intensive care unit from April 1, 2011, to May 25, 2012, should be tested. According to the hospital, that represents about 3,400 patients.
Although the testing clinics have been delayed, DHHS still plans to hold a public meeting tonight at Exeter High School.
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